Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-21
THE NORTH STATE.
FIRE IN A COTTON STEAMER AT Will
AINGTON.
Vessel and Cargo Burn Like Tiuder-A
Total Lots-0ther horth
Carolina News.
Especial telegram to the pIana,cn.1

BALEIdH, n. c., October 20.-Just
after midnight last night fire broke
ont in the fire-room OF the steamer
Regulator at Wilmington. The steam
CT was lying at q compress wharf, and
wss surrounded by cotton. She was to
have sailed for New York this morning.
Der cargo consisted OF thousand bales
OF cotton and quantity OF rosin aud
turpentine. The fire department en-
deavored vainly TO extinguish the
flames. The vessel was then towed
into the stream and taken to
point q mile up the river.
Tie steamer was on fire from
keel to truck, aud the spectacle was
magnificent. She was beachcd and
burned like finder. Tho tug which
flowed her was scOrched. The cargo
and the vessel are a total loss. The
Regulator was owned by the New York
and Wilmington Steamship Company,
and was insured at New York. Gap
tain Ingram and his crew did hard
work in attempting to extnguish the
fire, which WAS fierce from the first.
EiPOBTANT RAILROAD MEETING.
This afternoon committees repre-
sonting citizens Of the counties OF
Craven, Carterct, Pamlico, Lenoir,
Hyde, Wayne, and Jones MT Cover
uor Scales. Congressman L. Nj. Sim
mons was chairman of the joint
organization of the committees. The
purpose OF the conference was to lay
lciore the Governor 4 plan for build
ing the extension of the Atlantic and
North Carolina railway from Goldsboro'
either to Fayetteville or Sanford, using
the Atlantic and North Carolina road
rs basis Of credit TO raise the money
to pay for the extension. Con-
gresham Simmons fully explained
this matter TO the Governor.
remarks were also made by John
Hughes, s. ii. Gray, John G. Wooten,
and George Allen, all prominent men
of the eastern section. The length Of
the extension to Fayetteville would be
tiity-fve miles, and to Sanford sixty
seven. The purpose OF the extension is
TO connect with the Cape Fear and Yad
kin Valley railway. The committee ex-
pressed its desire that the entire line
Of lG3 miles, as thus completed, should
be leased to the Cape Fear and Iadkin
Valley road. They said they hal r3a-
Sons to believe that road would make
liberal offer. The committee pre-
ferred Sanford az the connecting
point, as n line between Goldsboro'
and Sanford would run through
Virgin county. The committee stated
that their desire was to establish
a through connection from Morehead
City to Mount Airy and give the
eastern part OF the St2te an outlet for
its products. The chief reason for the
movement is that the Atlantic and
North Carolina road is not in the rail
way pool and is now absolutely without
connection with any line 10 the interior
OF the State. as the rates made by those
lines at Goldsboro' are practically pro-
hihirory. Governor Scales SAID he
would carefully consider the matter as
lsld before him. The committee I'M
deIstand him as inclining toward the
lease but unsettled as to the feasibility
of the method. The committee pro-
pose to use in raising funds to
pay for the extension a mortgage
of the Atlantic and North Carolina road.
This leaves it largely a question whe
ther the Cape-Fcar and Yadlliu- Valley
road will lease and itself build con
Meeting link. Tomorrow this commit
tee will have a meeting with a commit
tee from the Cape-Fear and Yadkin-
Valley road by special appointment of
President julius A. Gray. 1t will pro-
baby have another meeting with Gov
Clror Scales Saturday.